The PA Experience

The PA Experience

By Molly Powers, Kate Lonczak, Kathryn Rydberg, Gracia Torres Basanta, and Carly Halili

Kaylee the Program Assistant (PA) was walking outside of Warren Towers, returning from her sociology research, and stopped to talk about being a PA.  Kaylee is currently a prelaw student studying Anthropology and Religion. She doesn’t want to immediately apply for law school, however: in between college and law school she wants to try her hand at teaching, which is why she decided to become a PA. Kaylee explained that spending the summer working with high school students is a great way to get experience and prepare her for the kinds of teaching programs she is interested in, such as Teach for America.

The role of the PA is “to make sure that the Summer Challenge Program runs smoothly, to answer questions, and to make sure that students are socializing”.  PA’s are responsible for the students during free time and evening activities, but what do they do while the students are in class?  Kaylee revealed that they have free time and usually take classes or work on research.  She also enjoys escaping the heat by going to the air-conditioned lounge and watching TV.  PA’s, despite their cheerful and energetic personas, are actually very busy. With everything they have to do for Summer Challenge, it is rare that they find a spare moment to complete any personal assignments. However, Kaylee loves spending time with the students and her coworkers, and she doesn’t mind the challenge.

Kaylee also said that to become a PA there are a number of steps.  The process begins with an online application.  After sending in the application, a group interview is scheduled during the spring semester.  Alexandra, the head of Summer Challenge, then individually interviews the chosen applicants.  From there, the applicants wait for their acceptance.

 This is Kaylee’s first year as a Program Assistant and so far one of her favorite parts has been watching the students grow over the two weeks.  She also loves the special bonds she’s already begun to form with individual students. “Since there isn’t much of an age difference,” she explained, “we actually become friends really easily.”

After posing for a quick picture, Kaylee continued on to Warren Towers to hang out in the air-conditioned TV lounge and get some work done. Being a PA at the BU Summer Challenge Program, it turns out, is actually very similar to being a student at the Program: harder than one would expect, but still very rewarding, and a lot of fun.